Subject: Invitation – Presentation of Report on Attacks Against Legal Professionals in the Philippines |
June 4, The Hague

You are cordially invited to attend the official presentation of “Black Robes, Red Targets”, the report of
the fact-finding mission on extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations against legal
professionals in the Philippines (2016–2023).

Date: Wednesday, 4 June 2025

Time: 17:00 – 18:00

Venue: Nieuwspoort Press Center, Bezuidenhoutseweg 67, The Hague, Netherlands

Format: This will be a hybrid event with the option to join in person or online (registration needed)

This report presents the findings of the Caravana Filipina, a 12-member international delegation of legal
experts who carried out an independent fact-finding mission in the Philippines from 4 to 14 June 2024.
Their investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of extrajudicial killings, harassment, and systemic
repression targeting legal professionals — acts closely tied to former President Duterte’s violent war on
drugs and an entrenched culture of impunity.

During the event, members of the Caravana Filipina will present their findings, answer questions, and
reflect on the implications of these human rights violations for democracy, the rule of law, and the legal
profession in the Philippines. The report not only offers a focused examination and contributes to a broader
understanding of the repression faced by the Philippine legal profession but also honors the extraordinary
resilience of lawyers who continue to fight for justice and democracy in the face of lethal threats.

For a glimpse into the urgency and context behind this mission, we invite you to view a short teaser
video (approx. 3 min) here.

Please confirm your attendance (in person or online) by signing up here.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Sincerely,Caravana Filipina

Fact-finding mission on extrajudicial killings and other gross human rights violations against legal
professionals in the Philippines (2016-2023)

On the initiative and with the support of the Foundation, an international  fact-finding mission took place in the Philippines in June 2024 aimed at investigating whether cases in which lawyers have been murdered and/or threatened are adequately investigated and tried by the government The report of this  committee of inquiry will be presented at a press conference in Nieuwspoort, The Hague, on June 4, 2025 at 15:00.

International legal and human rights community condemns moves to undermine the independence of lawyers and the rule of law

The escalating attacks by Turkish authorities on the Istanbul Bar Association, its leadership, and members of the legal profession are an affront to the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law, an international coalition of lawyers, bar associations and human rights organizations warned today. See the complete letter and call to action here.

In June 2024 the Foundation organized, in close cooperation with several other lawyer organizations, a fact finding mission to the Philippines. For more information see the first report :

The final detailed  report will be published soon.